The Ontario government officially applied an additional 25% to all electricity exports to three American states.
The additional tax, in force on Monday, will affect 1.5 million houses and businesses in Michigan, Minnesota and New York – costing up to $ 400,000 a day, the government said.
This decision is part of the initial continuation of Ontario reprisals against the American president Donald Trump Prices on Canadian products.
“President Trump’s prices are a disaster for the American economy. They make life more expensive for American families and companies, “said Prime Minister Doug Ford in a statement on Monday.
“Until the threat of prices has left for good, Ontario does not back down. We will stay strong, use all the tools in our toolbox and do everything you need to protect Ontario. »»
The new market rules will require that any generator sells electricity in the United States to add a surcharge of 25% of $ 10 per megawat-hour at the cost of energy.
The money, estimated between $ 300,000 and $ 400,000 per day, generated by the tax “will be used to support workers, families and businesses in Ontario,” said the government.
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“On average, this will add about $ 100 per month to the American workers’ bills. Let me be clear, I will not hesitate to increase this charge if necessary, “Ford told journalists on Monday.
“If the United States degenerates, I will not hesitate to close the electricity completely,” he continued.
Ford previously Friday, to journalists that he was still going to move forward With the American electricity tax on Monday, even with a temporary price suspended on many products set up by the United States until April 2.
The White House shared a brief response to the electric price with Global News.
“President Trump is committed to putting the Americans and America first, and the Trump administration refuses to put a value in dollars on American life,” said a spokesperson in response to the questions.
This decision is a Ford and his team has publicly weighed since Trump was sworn in – threatening more to degenerate and reduce power to 1.5 million American houses and businesses if the economic battle continues.
At the beginning of last week, when the prices seemed ready to strike, a furious Ford said that he would cut energy in the United States “with a smile on my face”, before participating in networks with major American networks like CNN and Fox News.
On Monday, Ford would not say when it could cut electricity in the United States.
“(Trump) literally changes any mind every day – I just wouldn’t want to give you an exact date,” said Ford. “But do not be mistaken, if he continues to attack our province, our country … I will do everything it takes to maximize the pain against the Americans.”
On March 4, before the implementation of the tax, the Ontario government said that Ford had sent a letter to the American elected officials in the three states by informing them that the province would impose electricity supplementation due to Trump prices on Canadian products.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the state of which would be affected by additional energy charges from Canada, said that he had spoken to Ford in order to “try to find a means through this unnecessary and costly trade war”.
The Minister of Energy and Electrification, Stephen Lecce, said that the United States “needs” Ontario energy.
“For decades, Ontario has propelled houses, factories, offices and American jobs, and we will not be following our vital electricity exports for acquired,” Lance said on Monday.
The Ontario government has said that the surcharge is added to the federal government imposing a first cycle of $ 30 billion in reprisals.
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